Comments on: What does that manga wink mean?

Question: What does that manga wink mean?

DarkForest — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:17 -0800

In manga, what does that one eye open, one eye closed expression mean? Sometimes it seems like a regular wink, but other times I get the feeling it means something else. Does it?

By: Solon and Thanks

Solon and Thanks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:48:26 -0800

I searched for examples, but no luck.

Sometimes I see it when people are being thoughtful, or considering something. Like how you might close an eye to get a close look at an object, but they're examining an abstract idea.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:54:21 -0800

It's a wink, plain and simple. You often see this accompanied with an index finger raised over the lips, which implies, "This is a secret between us" or "I'm not telling". Other times it's just a way to express coyness or cuteness.

In other words, the same reasons anyone else winks.

By: DarkForest

DarkForest — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:13:49 -0800

Here is an example. Maybe it's just a wink, but it doesn't quite look like it to me...

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:18:30 -0800

Yeah, that's the moé wink. Notice as well the slight blush on her cheeks, and the fingers held to her mouth in an expression of uncertainty - that's classic moé, i.e., cuteness to the max. Sometimes the wink is added to enhance cuteness, like I said, and that pic would be a textbook example.

By: @troy

@troy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:18:37 -0800

^ that looks like it would be accompanied with an "oooh-hooo-hooo", a coy mannerism to show bemusement/befuddlement.

By: Solon and Thanks

Solon and Thanks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:19:08 -0800

I think that's just coyness, as Marisa said.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:22:37 -0800

More on moé. I should clarify that the meaning of this word originally refered to having a fetish for something, e.g., a catgirl moé. Over time, the meaning changed to just mean uber-cute. You hear the latter definition more often these days.

By: DarkForest

DarkForest — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:26:17 -0800

Another and another.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:27:40 -0800

Yep. Total moé.

By: DarkForest

DarkForest — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:31:30 -0800

Coyness. Got it. Thank you all!

By: Chocolate Pickle

Chocolate Pickle — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:17:18 -0800

I know of one character in a manga who keeps one of her eyes closed most of the time. The reason is that she has heterochromia.

By: Ingenting

Ingenting — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:04:51 -0800

Yup, that's just a wink. In some cases, a closed eye means pain, but not in these particular pictures.

By: mukade

mukade — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:13:28 -0800

Other interesting stuff about manga iconography on Wikipedia